How to Fix Windows Update When It Gets Stuck
Updating Windows on a regular basis is essential for keeping your computer safe and functioning effectively. It’s recommended that you should do it at least once every couple of weeks, if not more frequently. But sometimes updating Window become frustrating when windows update gets stuck on 1% or 99% or stuck after an hour and create terrible issues. It happens because the updates will error out or Windows Update can become stuck “looking for updates” for an indefinite period and a vital cause is a software conflict or a preexisting issue it will not appear until you install updates. Here in this article, we cover all the points related to how to fix Windows Update when it gets stuck.
This happens very rarely when all the hard work in the background becomes clogged and any of those updates get stuck. You don’t need to worry about it you can solve this problem easily. Despite the fact that Microsoft’s launch of Windows 11 is yet another example of the company’s efforts to make updating as painless as possible, updating doesn’t always go as easily as we’d like.
After doing anything make sure that updates are stuck because some windows take a few minutes or more than a few minutes to install the update so you have to ensure that windows got stuck or not before taking any step. So if your windows are stuck for 3 hours or more and nothing happens on-screen it’s time to take a look at your hard drive activity light. If you see no activity it means it is stuck or if there will be frequent but brief flashes of light indicating the update is not stuck. Now you find that your update got stuck so here are methods we will disused in the next section.
Restart your system
If your update got stuck the first thing you can do is turn it off and on again your device, it is IT support cliche or easiest and favorite trick because it works almost every time in most cases especially when a windows update is stuck and fixes quickly. When you restart your system again it clears all temporary memories also blocked files or processes and Windows starts from the beginning. You can restart normally the system if your updates are stuck in the background because you have access to windows Windows updates stuck after or before the OS loads you have to perform a hard reset and hold down the power button.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Windows have a set of troubleshooting tools that can help you fix problems without the help of an IT consultant. These aren’t ideal, but they can help you to find out or identify the problems in your computer so you can easily fix them. Below are the steps of how to run windows update troubleshot in windows 10.
On the search bar, type Control Panel open it and search for troubleshooting on the search control panel which is on the top right side of the window.
Click on the Troubleshooting then select the View all link, now you will come to the new page with a list of all accessible troubleshooters.
Scroll down to find the Windows Update troubleshooter, then click on it and wait for the troubleshooting to begin.
Click on the Next button to lunch windows update troubleshooter. If the troubleshooter is successful in identifying an issue, it will try to fix it.
In Windows 11 first, you have to go search bar and type Settings, and press the Enter button. Scroll down and locate the “Troubleshoot” and click on it. Click on the Other Troubleshooters.
Other Troubleshooters gather the majority of the troubleshooters that come with Windows in one place. Now scroll down and search Windows Update and click on the Run button.
Check the Windows Update utility
In Windows 10 you can see whether Windows are updated or not and details about Windows update by using settings. First, you have to open settings and click on Update and Security. If there’s a problem that Windows is aware of, you should be able to discover information about it here. Sometimes the message will appears you have to try to update again at a later time.
You can see the history of updates by clicking on the Advanced option and then Viewing your update history. Now you can see the recently installed update so you can uninstall them again this is another useful troubleshooting option. The upgrade procedure in Windows 10 has been optimized, so you should experience fewer issues.
Use System Restore Tool
You can try the System Restore tool if your system is still not responding when installing updates. This step will bring your computer back to a previous state and for many years System Restore has proven to be effective in resolving Windows issues. You have to type Control Panel on the search and then click on it.
Click on System and then select System Restore.
Now you have to select System Protection on the right side and click on the System Restore.
To see all of your possible options, go through the wizard and select ‘Show more restore points.’
Choose a time and date, then follow the wizard’s instructions to restore Windows to its previous state, potentially resolving your update troubles in the process. Choose a time and date, then follow the wizard’s instructions to restore Windows to its previous state, potentially resolving your update troubles in the process.
Run Windows in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a situation in which your system only loads the bare minimum to run and all background programs are turned off. There is a low possibility that any rouge file may cause update problems in this mode. But this is the best method to execute an update in Safe Mode to avoid update problems. First, you have to hold down the Shift key while selecting the Power and Restart from the Windows sign-in screen. Next step you have to select the Troubleshoot>Advanced Options>Startup Settings>Restart and now you can see the Safe Mode option. This way you’re able, to go through the update procedure again.
Conclusion
Every operating system has its own set of issues and peculiarities, some of which result in updates becoming stuck in the download list. Fortunately, we are always happy to guide you. We hope that the methods outlined above helped to resolve how to fix Windows Update when it gets stuck such as running a troubleshooter, checking the Windows Update utility, using the system restore tool, and running Windows in Safe Mode. Hopefully, you also solve this common issue and prevent it from recurring in the future.